Previously Published in The Messenger
Republican Senators, Steamfitters Union Local 638, New York Farmers Bureau, and community members rallied together to urge Governor Kathy Hochul (D) to rethink her backing of the congestion pricing plan and call on the legislature and partners in the federal government to repeal her plan, which threatens to impose an additional hidden tax on New Yorkers and make New York even less affordable. The press conference even spotlighted two industries that would be affected by the ill-conceived congestion pricing plan – labor and agriculture.
Just one week following the recent election, Governor Hochul’s apparent shift in gears on congestion pricing raises questions about the sincerity of her previous “pause” on the initiative, which is now seen as nothing more than a political maneuver. On Monday, the MTA board moved forward by approving a base toll of $9, set to escalate to $12 between 2028 and 2030, and eventually reaching $15 by 2031. This decision marks a troubling trajectory for local businesses and commuters, who now face the reality of increased costs imposed by a system they believe primarily serves to further taxing already struggling families and enterprises.
During the press conference, Senator Rhoads read off direct quotes on the Governor’s website from prominent officials praising the Governor’s “pause” on congestion pricing back in June. With conviction, Senator Steven Rhoads (R-Bellmore) argued that these sentiments are just as relevant today as they were back in June.
“Governor Hochul’s immediate push for congestion pricing right after the election not only exposes a political stunt that prioritizes her radical agenda, but it also turns a blind eye to the real issue—MTA mismanagement—while imposing yet another burden on hardworking New Yorkers. Governor Hochul can’t fool the public by framing this new tax as a “savings” plan simply because it will be phased in,” said Rhoads. “It’s become painfully clear that congestion pricing is not actually about the environment or stopping congestion—it’s about money. Sadly, hardworking New Yorkers are the ones who will be paying the price for Governor Hochul’s commuter tax, adding to the growing sentiment that that New Yorkers feel forgotten and forced out of a state that has become unaffordable to live, work, and raise a family. Unpausing congestion pricing is not courage; it’s cowardice. The Governor is sidestepping the tough budget choices a true leader should make in this situation.”
As the MTA begins a public education campaign to promote the imminent return of congestion pricing, the Senators remain concerned about the timing of this initiative, coinciding with the busy holiday season when public attention and engagement may be at its lowest. The implications for Long Island commuters, businesses, and local delivery services are profound, as they stand to be disproportionately affected by the toll hikes. Local Senators joining the conference voiced their strong disapproval, emphasizing that the congestion pricing scheme threatens to stymie economic recovery and innovation at a time when support for businesses is paramount.
“The farm community works on razor thin margins and any additional cost or burden on the farmers is going to impact everyone. This will severely impact the farmers as it’s going to increase the cost of doing business that will ultimately be necessary to pass along to the consumers and the people that consume the local products,” said Rob Carpenter, Administrative Director and County Manager of the New York Farmers Bureau.
“Nassau County residents depend on their cars for work, medical care, and family visits, yet they’ll bear the brunt of this $9 toll—which is expected to eventually increase—along with added costs for trucks, buses, taxis, and ride-shares,” said Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick (R-Malverne). “The real issue isn’t traffic, it’s the MTA’s mismanagement. Instead of taxing drivers, the MTA should address inefficiencies and toll evasion. This tax will only worsen affordability and continue to drive families and businesses out of the State. New Yorkers deserve real solutions, not politically driven gimmicks.”
“Governor Hochul and New York’s Democrat leadership are once again looking to Long Islanders to bail out the MTA…It is a slap in the face to struggling Long Islanders to ask them to once again pay higher taxes just to get to work. Now more than ever, Long Islanders needed relief. Instead, they got deception and higher taxes,” said Senator Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk).
“Before asking New Yorkers to provide more funding for the MTA, we must first demand that the MTA gets its fiscal house in order,” said Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue). “Let’s start with these four steps… first, have the State Comptroller conduct a forensic audit of the MTA… next, replace all waist-high turnstiles with head-to-toe turnstiles to eliminate turnstile jumping… also, crackdown on toll evaders who are using “ghost plates,” plate covers or other methods to obscure their license plates… and finally show 100% compliance with the use of the fingerprint scanners for tracking overtime.”
“This unfair tax will take money out of the pockets of the very residents who have already voiced their opposition to this money grab without even giving them a chance to have a say in its return,” said Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James). “That is clearly the wrong approach and demonstrates again how our residents are viewed as the ATM for the rest of New York. Instead of asking them to give more, why doesn’t New York State tap into the close to $5 billion that was wasted on the illegal migrant fiasco or make more of an effort to fight fare evasion?”
“Congestion pricing is just more bad policy put in place by the one-party-rule of New York State. The solution is simple, crack down on theft of services like people jumping turnstiles. Instead, Governor Hochul continues to punish those who are law-abiding citizens just trying to live and work in New York, while rewarding crime and criminals,” said Senator Alexis Weik (R-Sayville).
“The congestion tax is not only a burden on police officers and other essential commuters – it’s bad for public safety. The NYPD is already severely understaffed and struggling to recruit and retain police officers, who can find better pay and benefits in almost any other police department,” said NYC Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry. “Forcing cops to dig deeper into their pockets just to report for duty will send even more of them running for the exits. A congestion tax would mean even fewer cops on the streets. New Yorkers can’t afford that.”